Road trip - for the guys anyway!

Clay and 4 other guys headed to Memphis last Thursday to go hunting. Yes, they drove 8 hours to hunt. Don't ask - I'm still not sure I understand. Anyway, they had a great time and got 19 birds amongst them - even in 20/30 degree weather. Clay's folks graciously put all of them up for 2 nights and kindly delivered about 4 inches of snow their second night. (Yes, I realize that I said Clay + 4 guys and there 6 in the picture - I really can count - Clay's dad joined them for the fun!)

The snow and resulting tractor trailer wrecks gave them additional bonding time as it took them 4 hours and 15 minutes to make it from Memphis to Little Rock - normally a 2 hour stint. Here is some of the "carnage" they saw...but it wasn't enough to keep them from wanting to make this an annual event.

Practicing

I got the camera out to catch the girl on the phone, but she failed to keep posing. I did catch this cute one of her loving on one of the happies she brought home from her friend's birthday party Sunday. She is all about loving on dolls and stuffed animals. It is too cute...especially when she pats them like we often do to her. Notice that she is free standing - she's coming right along!

I am less than brilliant - I took video of the girl walking on her own (she's getting more comfortable and often trying to walk first) and then I realize I had the camera turned (give me a little break - it was my digital camera)! So turn your head to the side and enjoy...and no children were harmed during this taping! (Make sure to pause the player at the bottom of the blog if you desire to hear what the kids are saying.)

Not so camera happy

Remember that photo shoot I talked about a couple of weeks ago where the little priss was less than cooperative? Well, the actual prints turned out better than I expected. We purchased some simply for posterity, but not really for sharing. This free compilation shows best her refusal to flash that melt-your-heart-smile. You might have to make the image larger to see her forced smile as she sits next to the chair. I absolutely LOVE this closeup of her face and the more artistic feel of the rest of the shots. I'm actually quite pleased. Enjoy!

"Every great oak tree was once a nut that stood its ground."

- author unknown but passed on by my mother

Shifting focus

Ruth Bell Graham shares about a night she woke up with the name of a loved one on her heart and mind. Her imagination ran wild with fears until the Lord said to her, "Quit studying the problems and start studying the promises." After shifting her focus from her worry to worshipping God, she realized that "worship and worry cannot live in the same heart; they are mutually exclusive."

I am an analyzer - often to my own detriment. At a time when those I love are dealing with uncertainty and hurts that easily weigh me down, I needed this reminder to focus on WHO He is instead of the what ifs.

Shifting my focus changes my perspective.

Followed by a messy night

The girl loves using a spoon so much now that she won't eat as much if I try to feed her. She is naturally messier than her brother, and she made such a mess tonight with her yogurt that I had to take pictures. She truly enjoys her food. She is so proud!



The boy saw the camera and immediately started saying, "Cheese!" I obliged his need for attention and got this great shot.

A messy morning

I pulled out the shaving cream this morning for a wonderful messy fun time. It was the girl's first experience, and it wasn't long before she dove right in. The boy was a bit more hesitant being that he isn't much of one for stuff on his hands, but after some coaxing he was all over it. The pictures speak for themselves...

From shorts to snow

Along with a good portion of our country, we experienced wonderful spring weather on Saturday and Sunday followed by the most snow we've gotten all season (not that that is saying much). The picture doesn't capture it well, but it does help show how it was blowing in all directions. It was a great night to be bundled up inside with a fire.

Wee one

Wee - there is just no other word that better describes our girl. One of the her friends came over to play today, and I had to capture the difference between them. 5 weeks younger, our sweet girl is almost a full head shorter than her comrade (yes our friend is on her tiptoes, but it really makes only a small difference)!!!! One huge benefit: we get all the clothes Miss 90% in height can no longer wear! Crazy thing: they wear the same size shoe (at least at this moment).

Disclaimer: I know my daughter will hate this picture in the future, but it really is the jeans making her butt look that big - every part of her is wee, I tell you, wee.

Coloring applesauce

While the boy was at school today, I introduced the girl to crayons. I grabbed the camera because her face when I put her in the little chair screamed, "What in the world am I doing here, woman?" As soon as she saw the camera, she flashed her adorable smile and kept it there. (Pause here to explain that she apparently only hams it up for the common person's camera. We attempted to take 1-year pictures this past Friday and she was NOT cooperative. We did get a couple of cute shots, but they do not capture her true personality.)

She looks so big and yet so tiny in this chair. She was quite proud of herself and enjoyed coloring. After banging the crayons together, she figured out they would mark on the paper. It was a fun "first."

During lunch I realized I hadn't really taken any pictures of the boy lately - he's just so hard to catch still these days. I figured it was a great time since he was focused on his favorite - applesauce. Grannylou snuck in for a picture since she was here (she picked the boy up from school again today since I am still without a car - and that's a story I've purposely not written about to protect the "innocent" - me!). I captured some of his famous looks - staring out the window savoring every bite, the smirk, and the smile.

Stairs

It's no secret the boy loves stairs. That is typically his focus if they are nearby. Up and down. Up and down. That's why he loves going to Aunt Kristi's (not to mention Kadyn, Dylan and the numerous Diego toys)! We were over on Saturday and watched in pure amazement as the girl showed her love for the stairs too. She is much more daring than her brother so it didn't take long to make it all the way to the top - and then try to head (literally) right back down. She's so proud of herself - can't you tell?


This was a special weekend in our family. My sister and brother-in-law had a reception celebrating their marriage. It was a wonderful time to join with family and friends to recognize God's faithfulness and love. One of the best parts was being a part of surprising Kristi. Our cousin Voniece, who lives in GA, flew in just for this special day. To spare Kristi, I won't post the pictures of the big moment; but it was so great! It has been a joy to spend time with a cousin I didn't know all that well due to age difference and distance over the years. Our kids fell in love with her too - with the girl spending most of the reception in Voniece's arms. They were both perfectly content.

I just had to post this adorable picture. She just looks too big in this little chair. I feel like I've blinked and she's a toddler. Man, she makes me laugh.

A sweet moment

The boy is typically a slow riser in the morning and after his nap (much like me). I have come to enjoy crawling up in his bed and making the most of his drowsy state where he allows me to snuggle. I know these moments will be gone much too quickly so I'm trying to bank as many as I can!

After his nap today as I laid next to him, he asked me to sing with him (he listens to music while he sleeps). What a joy to be asked to join in on a classic praise song, and for him to sing right along with me. A mama couldn't ask for much more.

He is exalted
The King is exalted on high
I will praise Him
He is exalted
Forever exalted
And I will praise His name
He is the Lord
Forever His truth shall reign
Heaven and earth (which sounds a little like "evan and gerth")
Rejoice in His holy name
He is exalted
The King is exalted on high

Gonna regret this

I'm gonna regret this later today...I can't sleep so I've been messing around with my template. Feeling a little bit girly - thus the purple hue. Nothing much to say except I know I will regret this "tomorrow."